Door device comprising a double bayonet socket for an insulator

ABSTRACT

A door fixture ( 110, 120 ) to be fastened to a frame of an isolator ( 200 ), comprising a door ( 110 ) and a double bayonet closure comprising two bayonet locks ( 121, 311; 122, 211 ) of different chiralities for the purpose of reciprocally transferring the isolator ( 200 ) from a first state, in which the door ( 110 ), which opens from inside the isolator ( 100 ), is open and detached from the isolator frame ( 130 ) and a container flange ( 310 ) surrounding a container ( 300 ) is sealingly locked to the isolator frame ( 220 ), and a second state, in which the door ( 110 ) is shut and sealingly locked to the isolator frame ( 220 ) and the container flange ( 310 ) is detached from the isolator frame ( 220 ), there being provided a first safety device ( 140 ), which allows the door ( 110 ) to be opened only when a container flange ( 310 ) of a container ( 300 ) is sealingly locked to the isolator frame ( 220 ), and a second safety device ( 150 ), which allows for the removal of the container flange ( 310 ) from the isolator frame ( 220 ) only when the door ( 110 ) is sealingly locked to the isolator frame ( 220 ), the provision of a locking ring ( 143 ) that is rotatably mounted in the frame ( 410 ) and can be releasably locked in position, in one end position of which the first safety device is activated and the second safety device is deactivated, and in other end position of which the first safety device is deactivated and the second safety device is activated, ensures that the door will not open from inside the isolator when a flange of a container is not in place on the isolator frame and a bayonet of the flange thus does not engage a corresponding bayonet thread, and creates an additional safety device that prevents the bayonet of the flange of the container, which is attached to the isolator frame when the door is open, from moving into a position in which the flange is removable from the isolator frame.

The invention relates to a door fixture to be fastened to a frame of anisolator, comprising a door and a double bayonet closure comprising twobayonet locks of different chiralities for the purpose of reciprocallytransferring the isolator from a first state, in which the door, whichopens from inside the isolator, is open and detached from the isolatorframe and a container flange surrounding a container is sealingly lockedto the isolator frame, and a second state, in which the door is shut andsealingly locked to the isolator frame and the flange is detached fromthe isolator frame, there being provided a first safety device, whichallows the door to be opened only when a container flange of a containeris sealingly locked to the isolator frame, and a second safety device,which allows the removal of the container flange from the isolator frameonly when the door is sealingly locked to the isolator frame.

Door fixtures of the kind described above are known in the prior art ina variety of embodiments, all of which function in the same or similarmanner. The known isolator doors generally comprise a door fixed to aframe by a hinge, in which case the door contains a bayonet lock whichallows an alternating disk that closes the opening of a flange to besecurely attached to the door during an opening operation while beingdetached from the flange by means of a second bayonet lock, whichalternating disk is reversibly detachable from the door when it is inthe open condition. When the door is closed by manual operation with theaid of protective gloves that reach into the isolator interior, the dooris first securely attached to the isolator frame by means of a latch,whereupon a corresponding backward turn of the handles that are fixed tothe flange, with the aid of the double bayonet closure, causes, on theone hand, the alternating disk to be simultaneously detached from thedoor and attached to the flange, and, on the other hand, the flange tobe detached from the frame of the door, whereupon the alternating diskis securely re-attached to the flange such that the flange opening isre-closed.

By virtue of the fact that, in the double bayonet of the known doorfixtures, the two bayonet locks have different chiralities i.e. one lockis provided with a right-handed thread and the other lock is providedwith a left-handed thread, turning the handles attached to the flangewill cause the double bayonet to fulfill the double function ofattaching the flange to the frame while detaching the alternating diskfrom the frame and attaching the alternating disk to the door, andaccordingly, when the functions are reversed, detaching the flange fromthe frame while the alternating disk shifts from being attached to thedoor to being attached to the flange.

However, when the known double bayonet is used on an isolator, twofunction-dependent crucial weaknesses emerge in connection with theabove described functionality, and these must be avoided at all costs.The first relates to a situation of the isolator in which the door mustbe opened in the absence of a container, and the second relates to asituation of the isolator in which the container must be removed fromthe frame with the door open.

It is an object of the invention to provide a door fixture which ensuresthat the door will not open from inside the isolator when a flange of acontainer is not in place on the isolator frame and a bayonet of theflange is thus does not engage a corresponding bayonet thread, and toprovide an additional safety device that prevents the bayonet of theflange of the container, which is attached to the isolator frame whenthe door is open, from moving into a position in which the flange isremovable from the isolator frame.

For a door fixture as described above, this object is achieved by areleasably lockable locking ring rotatably mounted in the isolatorframe, in one end position of which the first safety device is activatedand the second safety device is deactivated, and in the other endposition of which the first safety device is deactivated and the secondsafety device is activated.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject matter of thesubclaims.

The provision in the door fixture of the invention of a releasablylockable locking ring rotatably mounted in the isolator frame, in oneend position of which the first safety device is activated and thesecond safety device is deactivated, and in the other end position ofwhich the first safety device is deactivated and the second safetydevice is activated, creates a door fixture for an isolator in which amaximum of safety is provided against unwanted contamination of thespace surrounding the isolator in all operating situations, owing to theimpossibility of either the isolator door being accidentally opened fromthe inside, or the container flange being accidentally detached from theoutside.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the door fixture of theinvention, the locking ring is provided with a rotary handle.

According to an important preferred embodiment of the door fixture ofthe invention, the first safety device contains a first pin which ismounted in the isolator frame such that it can be reciprocallydisplaced, and, when a container bayonet is turned into the isolatorframe, can be moved from a biased home position toward the locking ring,thereby abutting an engagement member, which can be entrained by meansof the pin to such an extent that said engagement member comes intoalignment with the locking ring such that it is free to turn within theisolator frame from one end position, in which the isolator door islocked tight, to the other end position, in which the door can beopened.

The engagement member can be in the form of a pin, for instance, and ahelical spring can be provided for biasing it.

According to another important preferred embodiment of the door fixtureof the invention, the second safety device contains a curved and partlyhelical channel which is provided in the locking ring, and the door,which is provided with lateral rollers, can be inserted into the openingthereof that faces the isolator, there being a second reciprocallydisplaceable pin mounted in that surface of the channel which is remotefrom the isolator, which pin abuts a reciprocally displaceableengagement member and is biased such that, due to the action of a doorroller caused by insertion thereof into the curved channel and rotationof the locking ring so as to move said roller into its first endposition, closing the door, said pin can be moved from its biased homeposition, in which the engagement member catches in a recess in thecontainer bayonet in order to lock the container bayonet in position, toa displaced position, in which the engagement member releases thebayonet so that it can be turned out and, later, turned back in.

It is advantageous when at least one arresting device for the door isprovided on the isolator frame to prevent rotation of the door when thelocking ring is turned. Such an arresting device can also be in the formof a pin which catches in a corresponding recess in the region of theperiphery of the door of circular cross-section. Preferably twodiametrically opposing arresting devices are provided.

According to preferred embodiments, a door is provided with two lateralrollers, whose axes of rotation are aligned in the radial direction ofthe circular door.

The second pin can be in the form of a screw, and a helical spring canbe provided for the purpose of biasing the second pin.

The door fixture of the invention is described below with reference toan embodiment illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the frame of a preferred embodiment of the door fixture ofthe invention in an oblique top view from the direction of the isolator;

FIG. 2 shows the frame illustrated in FIG. 1 of the preferred embodimentof a door fixture of the invention in an oblique top view from thedirection of the container;

FIG. 3 shows an open container of the preferred embodiment of the doorfixture of the invention in an oblique front view;

FIG. 4 shows the open container illustrated in FIG. 3 of the preferredembodiment of the door fixture of the invention in a front view;

FIG. 5 shows a container closure unit of a door of the preferredembodiment of the door fixture of the invention in an oblique front viewfrom the direction of the container;

FIG. 6 shows the container closure unit illustrated in FIG. 5 of a doorof the door fixture of the invention in an oblique front view from thedirection of the isolator;

FIG. 7 shows a door of the preferred embodiment of the door fixture ofthe invention in an oblique front view from the direction of theisolator;

FIG. 8 shows the door illustrated in FIG. 7 of the door fixture of theinvention in an oblique front view from the direction of the container;

FIG. 9 shows a preferred embodiment of the door fixture of the inventionin a cross-sectional view illustrating the function of the first safetydevice; and

FIG. 10 shows a preferred embodiment of the door fixture of theinvention in a cross-sectional view illustrating the function of thesecond safety device.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 10 of the door fixture 100, 200of the invention comprises an isolator frame 410 in which an opening 420is provided, which is releasably closable by a door 100, and furthercontains a double bayonet closure composed of two bayonet locks 110,220; 210, 320 showing different chiralities. A closable container 300 isprovided with a bayonet 310 which interacts with a bayonet counterbearing 311 formed on the isolator frame 410.

The double bayonet closure consisting of a door bayonet 110 and a doorbayonet bearing 220, on the one hand, and a closure unit bayonet 210 anda closure unit bayonet bearing 320, on the other hand, enables thereciprocal transfer of the isolator 400 from a first state, in which thedoor 100, which opens from the inside of isolator 400, is open anddetached from the isolator frame 410 and in which a container bayonet310 that surrounds an opening 330 of a container 300 is sealingly lockedto the isolator frame 410, to a second state, in which the door 100 isclosed and sealingly locked to the isolator frame 410 and the containerbayonet 310 is detached from the isolator frame 410.

A first safety device 140, which is provided in the isolator frame 410,allows the door 100 to be opened only when a container bayonet 310 of acontainer 300 is sealingly locked to the isolator frame 410, and asecond safety device allows for the removal of the container bayonet 310from the isolator frame 410 only when the door 100 is sealingly lockedto the frame 410.

According to a further essential feature of the invention, the doorfixture 100 of the invention contains a locking ring 143 that isrotatably mounted in the frame 410 and can be releasably locked inposition, in one end position of which the first safety device 140 isactivated and the second safety device 150 is deactivated, and in otherend position of which the first safety device 140 is deactivated and thesecond safety device 150 is activated. The locking ring 143 is providedwith a rotary handle 151.

The first safety device 140 contains a first pin 142, which is mountedin the isolator frame in a reciprocally displaceable fashion, and which,when a container bayonet 31 of a container 300 is inserted into andturned in the isolator frame 410, moves from a biased home positiontoward the locking ring 143, thus abutting an engagement member 144which is in a biased home position, said engagement member beingentrainable by the pin to such an extent that said engagement membercomes into alignment with a corresponding surface 145 of the lockingring 143 in order to release the ring for rotation within the frame 410from a first end position, in which the isolator door 100 is shut tight,to the other end position, in which the isolator door 100 can be opened.The engagement member 144 is in the form of another pin, and a spring146 is provided for biasing it. Prior to turning a container bayonet 310of a container 300 into the isolator frame 410, the container 300 isshut tight by a closure unit 200 of a door 100, which closure unit 200is anchored to an internal bayonet counter bearing 320 of the container300.

The second safety device 150 includes two curved and in part helicalchannels 148, 148′ which are provided in the locking ring 143 and inwhose opening 420 facing the isolator the door 100 can be inserted viaits lateral rollers 120, 120′, there being mounted a second pin 155 forreciprocal displacement in that surface of the channel 148 which isremote from the isolator, which pin abuts a reciprocally displaceableengagement member 156 and is biased such that the action of a roller120, 120′ of a door 100, caused by insertion of said roller into thecurved channel 148 and rotation of the locking ring 143 so as to movesaid roller to its first end position, closing the door, and furtherforward up to an end face of the channel, will cause said pin to bemoved from its biased home position 120, 120′, in which the engagementmember 156 catches in a recess in the container bayonet in order to lockthe container bayonet 310 in position, into a displaced position inwhich the engagement member 156 releases the container bayonet 310 toenable it to be turned out and, later, turned back in.

By turning the locking ring 143 into its first end position, closing thedoor, the closure unit 200 anchored to an internal bayonet counterbearing 320 of the container 300 is detached from the container 300 andtransferred to the door 100.

At least one arresting device is provided on the isolator frame 410 forinteraction with the door 100, preventing it from rotating when thelocking ring 143 is turned. An arresting device is in the form of a pinthat catches in a corresponding recess in the region of the periphery ofthe door 100 of circular cross-section.

A door 100 is provided with two lateral rollers 120, 120′ whose axes ofrotation are aligned in the radial direction of the circular door 100.The second pin 155 is in the form of a screw. A helical spring 159 isprovided for the purpose of biasing the second pin 155.

The exemplifying embodiment of the invention explained above servesmerely to provide a better understanding of the teaching of theinvention which is defined in the claims and is not, as such, restrictedto said embodiment.

1. A door fixture (110, 120) to be fastened to a frame of an isolator(200), comprising a door (110) and a double bayonet closure comprisingtwo bayonet locks (121, 311; 122, 211) of different chiralities for thepurpose of reciprocally transferring said isolator (200) from a firststate, in which said door (110) which opens from inside said isolator(100), is open and detached from said isolator frame (130) and acontainer flange (310) surrounding a container (300) is sealingly lockedto said isolator frame (220), and a second state, in which said door(110) is shut and sealingly locked to said isolator frame (220) and saidcontainer flange (310) is detached from said isolator frame (220), therebeing provided a first safety device (140), which allows said door (110)to be opened only when a container flange (310) of a container (300) issealingly locked to said isolator frame (220), and a second safetydevice (150), which allows for the removal of said container flange(310) from said isolator frame (220) only when said door (110) issealingly locked to said isolator frame (220), wherein a locking ring(143) that is rotatably mounted in said frame (410) and can bereleasably locked in position, in one end position of which the firstsafety device is activated and the second safety device is deactivated,and in the other end position of which the first safety device isdeactivated and the second safety device is activated.
 2. A fixture asdefined in claim 1, wherein said locking ring (143) is provided with arotary handle (151)
 3. A fixture as defined in claim 1 wherein saidfirst safety device contains a first pin (142), which is mounted in saidisolator frame in a reciprocally displaceable fashion, and which, when acontainer(bayonet 31 is inserted into and turned in said isolator frame,moves from a biased home position toward said locking ring (143), thusabutting an engagement member (144) which is in a biased home position,said engagement member (144) being entrainable by said pin to such anextent that said engagement member (144) comes into alignment with saidlocking ring (143) in order to release said ring for rotation withinsaid isolator frame (410) from one end position, in which said isolatordoor (100) is shut tight, to the other end position, in which saidisolator door (1.00) can be opened.
 4. A fixture as defined in claim 3,wherein said engagement member is in the form of another pin.
 5. Afixture as defined in claim 3 wherein a helical spring (146) is providedfor biasing said engagement member (144).
 6. A fixture as defined inclaim 1, wherein said second safety device (150) includes a curved andin part helical channel (148) which is formed in said locking ring andin whose opening facing said isolator said door (100) can be insertedvia lateral rollers, there being mounted a second pin (155) forreciprocal displacement in that surface of said channel (148) which isremote from said isolator, which pin abuts a reciprocally displaceableengagement member (156) and is biased such that the action of a rollerof a door, caused by insertion of said roller into said curved channel(148) and rotation of said locking ring (143) so as to move said rollerto its first end position, closing said door, and further forward up toan end face of said channel, will cause said pin to be moved from itsbiased home position, in which said engagement member (156) catches in arecess in said container bayonet in order to lock said container bayonetin position, to a displaced position in which said engagement member(156) releases said container bayonet to enable it to be turned out and,later, turned back in.
 7. A fixture as defined in claim 6, wherein atleast one arresting device is provided on said isolator frame forinteraction with said door, which prevents said door from rotating whensaid locking ring (143) is turned.
 8. A fixture as defined in claim 7,wherein an arresting device is in the form of a pin that catches in acorresponding recess in region of the periphery of said door of circularcross-section.
 9. A fixture as defined in claim 6, wherein a door isprovided with two lateral rollers whose axes of rotation are aligned inthe radial direction of said circular door.
 10. A fixture as defined inclaim 6, wherein said second pin (155) is in the form of a screw.
 11. Afixture as defined in claim 3 wherein a helical spring (159) is providedfor the purpose of biasing said second pin (155).